THE POULTRY BOOK. 
319 
“ When the goose is inclined to hatch she remains on the nest. During the 
first two or three days she seldom sits steadily ; the eggs should not therefore he 
given to her until the third day. The time of incubation is about twenty-nine 
days. With geese, as with all poultry, during the time they are sitting the less 
they are interfered with the better. When the goose leaves her nest, care must 
be taken to supply a sufficient quantity of food and water, and that she does not 
remain too long from her eggs — say fifteen minutes. 
“ Goslings, being much hardier than the young of any other poultry, do not 
require so much caution in assisting such as make slow progress out of the 
shell. 
‘‘ If the weather be fine, the goslings should be turned out into a sheltered 
situation the first day after being hatched ; however, at this season the weather is 
not always so charming, and I may mention that we had a brood that came out a 
few years ago during a time when the ground was thickly covered with snow. 
The snow remained on the ground a fortnight, during which time it was essential 
to keep the goslings in the house. Grass being an indispensable part of the 
food of goslings, w^e were necessitated to procure for them pieces of turf. For the 
first few days goslings should have porridge, potatoes boiled, and given when 
moderately warm, bread-crumbs, or curds ; and should not have liberty to swum 
in w^ater; this restriction should be gradually dispensed with. When seven or 
eight days old no further care is necessary (unless in bad weather), beyond giving 
them food. 
I cannot agree with those who say that ‘ the rankest, coarsest grasses 
constitute the goose’s delicacy.’ Turn geese into a pasture of various qualities 
of grass, and they will soon show to which they give preference. I am not 
assuming, but wuite from having observed that they are fondest of the sweetest 
grasses. I have also observed them ^ w^aggling ’ through long grass, and drawing 
the heads of the grass through their bills, in order to procure the seed. The 
manner they turn their heads to one side to do this is very amusing. How coarse 
soever grass may be, geese will eat it, but to keep them well they must have an 
allowance once a day of something more substantial. A mixture of boiled 
potatoes will answer the purpose ; but by comparing the prices of these wdth 
the prices of oats, and by taking the nutritious properties of both into considera- 
tion, we shall find that the latter are, at present prices (1850), considerably 
cheaper. 
“ It is the custom in some parts to take a portion of the feathers off the geese 
two or three times a year — a custom I strongly condemn : for, no later than last 
year, a party of whom I purchased a flock took advantage before delivering 
them of robbing them of a great part of their feathers ; the consequence of 
Vvdiich was the loss of the most of them. I admit a small quantity may be 
taken off with little or no injury ; but then so few people can be trusted to 
do the work, that it is undoubtedly the best policy to let the feathers hang as 
they grow.” 
